Former war commander Ratko Mladic to receive full state honors in Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic harshly criticized the United Nations court in The Hague on Friday for denying an early release for former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic, who passed away on Thursday at 84 years old while serving a life sentence for war crimes. Mladic's family and the Serbian government had repeatedly requested his release, citing his advanced age and deteriorating health.

He had been incarcerated since 2011. The U.N. court ruled against his release in August, citing Mladic's "comprehensive and compassionate medical care" and "exceptional visitation regime" as justifications. Mladic, a notorious warlord responsible for the deaths of over 100,000 people during the 1990s Balkan conflict, remains a polarizing figure in the region.

While Bosnian Serbs mourned his passing, acknowledging his hero status, the families of his victims welcomed his death as justice. Mladic's family will now determine his burial location, with Serbia offering to assist if requested. The U.N. court has launched an inquiry into Mladic's death, and the judge investigating the case visited the detention facility where he was held. The court has not ruled out opening a criminal investigation or conducting an autopsy.